Means for protecting the mouth



April 18, 1967 P. BOATWRIGHT ETAL 3,

MEANS FOR PROTECTING THE MOUTH Filed Aug. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l-INVENTORS PAUL L. BOATWRIGHT BYFREDRIC E. CLARK ATTORNEY April 1957 P.L, BOATWRIGHT ETAL 3,314,423

MEANS FOR PROTECTING THE MOUTH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.

INVENTORS PAUL L. BOATWRIGHT B FREDRIC E. CLARK ATTORNEY United StatesPatent 3,314,423 MEANS FOR PROTECTING THE MOUTH Paul L. Boatwright andFredric E. Clark, both of 4301 Huntoon, Topeka, Kans. 66604 Filed Aug.9, 1962, Ser. No. 215,938 5 Claims. (Cl. 128136) This invention relatesto means for protecting the mouth. In a more specific aspect theinvention relates to protector means positionable within the mouth ofthe user to protect the teeth, lips, gums, bones, etc., in the moutharea from damage. In a still more specific aspect the invention relatesto protector means to be worn in the mouth by athletes and others toprotect the teeth, etc. from damage due to either direct or indirecttrauma. In a still further more specific aspect the invention relates tomeans for protecting the mouth having attaching means therewith forconnecting the means for protecting the mouth to a helmet, chin strap,face guard, etc. In a still more specific aspect the invention relatesto means for protecting the mouth wherein the mouth protector is firmlyheld onto the teeth of the user and is constructed for maximum comfortto the user.

Various types of protector means are known to the art, including meansfor protecting the mouth. Many of the prior art mouth protector meansare constructed so that when mounted in the mouth of the user theyinterfere with normal breathing, talking, etc. This is quiteundesirable, particularly where athletes are concerned and where normalbreathing and talking functions are preferably not restricted.Furthermore, many of the prior art mouth protector means are constructedso that they must be maintained in place in the mouth 'by gripping theprotector with the teeth which is uncomfortable and inconvenient for theuser and frequently results in loss of the protector. In addition, someof the protector means of the prior art do not include strap meansthere-- with whereby the protector means can be removably connected to aface guard, chin strap, helmet or the like so that should the protectormeans he intentionally or inadvertently removed from the mouth it is notlost. Furthermore, some of the prior art mouth protector means areconstructed so that portions thereof engaging the gums and lips of theuser are relatively hard and inflexible or engage the mouth tissue insuch a manner as to result in irritation or skin damage. None of themouth protector means of the prior art have proven successful.

In accordance with the present invention means for protecting the mouthare provided which include resilient base means shaped and of size to bepositioned between upper and lower teeth of the user. Flange means areconnected to the base means and project therefrom. The flange means havea flexible poition positioned and constructed to grip the teeth of theuser when positioned in the mouth. The means for protecting the mouth isconstructed and adapted to be positioned in the mouth of the user withthe flange means gripping the teeth to hold same in place.

The mouth protector of the invention overcomes the difficulties anddeficiencies of the.prior art structures. The protector of the inventionis constructed so that when positioned in the mouth normal breathing andtalking functions are not interfered with and the protector isself-retaining, that is the construction of the protector is such thatit retains itself in the month by gripping the teeth and it is notnecessary for the user to grip the pro- Patented Apr. 18, 1967 tectorbetween the teeth. Furthermore, loss of the protector has beeneliminated by provision of strap means connectable to portions of ahelmet, etc., so that when the protector is intentionally orinadvertently removed from the mouth it is not lost. The protector ofthe invention is flexible and shaped to fit substantially all mouths andcan be used on either the upper or lower teeth. The construction of themouth protector of the invention and preferred materials from which sameis made insures maximum comfort when worn and eliminates irritation,lacerations, etc., to the tissue.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new means forprotecting the mouth.

Another object of the invention is to provide new means for protectingthe mouth wherein the means for protecting the mouth is attached to theteeth of the user when positioned in the mouth.

Another object of the invention is to provide new mouth protector meanshaving thin, pliable or flexible outer edge portions engageable withportions of the mouth to hold the mouth protector therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide new mouth protectormeans which are comfortable to wear and which do not preventsubstantially normal speech or breathing by the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide new mouth protectormeans which are shaped and constructed to snugly engage the teeth andadjacent tissue to hold the protector in place in the mouth withoutcausing irritation to the mouth of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide new mouth protectormeans having attaching means therewith to connect same to a helmet, chinstrap, face guard or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple andinexpensive mouth protector for use by athletes and others wherebydamage to the teeth, mouth tissue, lips, etc. resulting from direct orindirect trauma has been substantially reduced if not altogethereliminated.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred specific embodiment of themeans for protecting the mouth of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view, partially in cross section, showing a posteriorportion of the mouth protector of FIG. 1 positioned in the mouth.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a portion of the skull and teeth of ahuman being showing the location of the mouth protector of the inventionwhen positioned in the mouth.

FIG. 4 is a view, partially in cross section, illustrating anotherpreferred specific embodiment of the mouth protector of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view, partially in cross section and partially in elevation,illustrating another preferred specific embodiment of the mouthprotector of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view, partially in cross section, illustrating a stillfurther preferred specific embodiment of the mouth protector of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view, partially in cross section, illustratinganother preferred specific embodiment of the mouth protector of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating another preferred specificembodiment of the means for protecting the mouth in combination withstrap means for connecting same to retaining means.

FIG. 9 is a view, partially in cross section illustrating preferredmeans for connecting the strap means to the protector means.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating another preferred maner of attaching thestrap means to the protector means.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the connection of the strap means ofFIGS. 810 to a football helmet or the like.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specificembodiments of the new means for protecting the mouth of the invention,such being made with reference to the drawings w-hereon the samereference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/orstructure. It is to be understood that such discussion and descriptionis not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a preferred specific embodimentof the means for protecting the mouth of the invention is showngenerally at and is preferably an integrally formed member 22 which ismade of any suitable material, preferably a deformable rubber orrubber-like material, suitable plastics, etc. Preferably, a naturalrubber compound is used since the use of natural rubber results inmaximum comfort and tissue toler: ance. The member 22 can be made in anysuitable manner, such as by common injection molding techniques, bypotting, etc. The member 22 is generally U-shaped in plan view and isalso generally U-shaped in transverse cross section as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The member 22 is open at the ends thereof and has agenerally flat, resilient or deformable !base portion 24 which isgenerally U-shaped and is of size to be positioned between and engagableby the upper teeth 26 and the lower teeth 28 of the user. Preferably themost anterior portion of base portion 24 is narrower than the posteriorportions thereof to more accurately conform to teeth width.

The member 22 desirably has a flexible buccal flange 30 and a flexiblelingual flange 32 which are preferably integrally formed with the base24 and project upwardly from opposite side edges of the base and arepositioned in spaced relation. Desirably the flange portions 30 and 32are constructed so that they taper from relatively thick inner portions34 and 36, respectively, to relatively thin, flexible outer edgeportions 38 and 40, respectively. The outer edge portions 38 and 40 ofthe flanges 3t) and 32, respectively, are preferably curved inwardlytoward each other and overlie the base portion 24 of the member 22 atthe posterior portions of the member as best illustrated in FIG. 1.Preferably, the most anterior portion 42 of the lingual flange 32 isshorter than the posterior portions thereof and overlies the baseportion 24, but if desired can be substantially perpendicular to thebase 24.

Preferably the buccal flange portion 30 extends from the base portion 24a distance greater than the lingual flange portion 32 and, as bestillustrated in FIG. 2, is of size and shape to be positioned along andsnugly engagable with the buccal aspect 44 of the posterior teeth andthe alveolar mucosa 46 of the user when positioned in the mouth. Thelingual flange portion32 is shaped and of size to be positionableagainst and snugly engage the lingual convexity 48 of the posteriorteeth and desirably terminates at the junction of the teeth 26 and thepalatal mucosa S0 of the user when positioned in the mouth. The base 24and flanges 30 and 32 define a trough-like space which is relativelywide in the posterior portions and relatively narrow in the anteriorportion to receive the teeth of the user when positioned in the mouth.

The most anterior portion 52 of the buccal flange portion 30 preferablyhas a shallow recess 54 in the outer edge portion 38 thereof and therecess 54 is positioned and of size to accommodate the labial frenum ofthe user when the protector 20- is positioned in the mouth. In addition,the intermediate portions 56 and 58 of the buccal flange portion 30preferably each have shallow recesses 6i? and 62, respectively, in theouter edge portions thereof which are positioned at the outer edgeportion 38 of the buccal flange and are of size to accommodate thebuccal fren-a of the user when the protector is positioned in the mouth.

The protect-or 20 is constructed and adapted to be worn in the mouth andpositioned on either the upper or lower teeth of the user to protect theusers teeth, lips and other portions of the mouth from both direct andindirect trauma. When positioning the protector 20 on the teeth in themouth as illustrated on the upper teeth in FIGS. 2 and 3 the buccal andlingual flanges 3t} and 32 are de-- sirably deformed slightlywhenpositioned in the mouth from their position overlying the base 24 asillustrated in FIG. 1 to substantially vertical positions as illustratedin FIG. 2 and, as a result of this slight deformation from the moldedshape, the buccal flange 30 exerts gentle pressure on the buccal andlabial aspects of the teeth 26 and alveolar mucosa 46 and the lingualflange portion 32 ex erts gentle pressure on the lingual aspect 48 ofthe bicuspicls and molars to thereby hold the protector 20 in thedesired position in the mouth. The deformation to hold the protector inplace can be provided at the posterior portions only and in suchinstance the most anterior portion 42 of the lingual flange 32 can besubstantially vertical or perpendicular to the base portion 24 of theprotector. Desirably the most anterior portion 52 of the buccal flange30 is also curved inwardly and grips the buccal portion of the frontteeth and adjacent mouth tis' sue of the user. The mouth protectorpreferably is of size to be positioned around and protect even the mostposterior'teeth as shown in FIG. 3.

Since the outermost edge portions 38 and 40 of the buccal flange 30 andlingual flange 32 of the protector are relatively thin and flexible theywill readily conform to the gum tissue or line between the teeth and thegum tissue so that little or no irritation results from use of theprotector in the mouth. In addition, the lips are protected since thereare no sharp or non-deformable portions on the most inner portions ofthe protect-or which can engage the mouth and cause injury to the teethor to tissue adjacent the teeth. The resilient or deformable !baseportion 24 cushions and substantially reduce any shock or load receivedby the maxillary and mandibular arches as a result of a direct orindirect blow. The pro:

tector 2%) is self-retaining by virtue of the gripping action of thebuccal and lingual flanges 30 and 32 and the wearer can talk and breathenormally without interference from the protector. Furthermore, theflexible portions of the protector permits universal use of themouthpiece in all but the most unusual sizes and shapes of mouths and,-while the protector is shown mounted on an upper of maxillary arch, theprotector can also be reversed and positioned on the mandibular arch.The protector 26 can be worn over either prosthetic replacements ororthodontic appliances without interfering with same or affectingorthodontic treatment. Applicants protector structure substantiallyreduces the possibility of breakage to the mandible since the mandibleremains in its substantially normal physiological position in the mouth.

7 The protector can he dimensioned as desired. A base 24 ofapproximately 3 millimeters thickness and varying in width fromapproximately 1.3 to 1.5 centimeters at the posterior portions thereofto approximately 6.5 millimeters at the anterior portion and a buccalflange varying in height from approximately 1.7 to 1.85 centimeters andhaving a thickness at the inner portion of the flange of approximately 3millimeters have been found satisfactory for the average person.

Since the flange portions of the mouth protector are preferablyrelatively thin and quite flexible, and since the base portion thereofis often subjected to rather severe shock loads, it is desirable in someinstances to make the flanges of different material or flexibility thanthe base portion thereof. Such an embodiment or modification isillustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings where the protector is showngenerally at 60 and includes a base portion 62 which is more dense orrelatively hard in comparison to the buccal flange portion 64 and thelingual flange portion 66. The additional density or hardness can beachieved by known compounding procedures, by selection of rubber orrubber-like materials, plastics or the like for the various portionsthereof, etc. The flange portions 64 and 66 are firmly secured to orconnected to the base portion 62 and the flanges can be of any shape,size or construction as disclosed in other embodiments of the invention.

Another preferred specific embodiment of the mouth protector of theinvention is illustrated generally at 70 in FIG. 6. The protector 70includes a base portion 72 and a lingual flange portion 74 which are ofthe same or similar construction to like structure of the protector 20,FIGS. 13. The protector 76 has a buccal flange shown generally at 76which has a relatively thick inner portion 78 and a relatively thin andflexible outer edge portion 80. The buccal flange 76 has an elongatedintegrally formed ridge 82 which is positioned between the inner portion78 and the outer edge portion 80 thereof and projects therefrom towardthe lingual flange portion 74. The ridge 82 preferably tapers smoothlyfrom its outermost end or edge portion toward the inner portion 78 andthe outer edge portion thereof and is positioned to engage the crevicecreated by the junction of the teeth and the buccal alveolar mucosa ofthe user when the protector 70 is positioned in the mouth.

With protector structure as shown at 70 in FIG. 6 the protector moreaccurately conforms to the contour of the teeth and firmly grips orengages the teeth when it is positioned in the mouth of the user and isthus quite effective in retaining the protector in the desired position.The ridge 82 preferably extends at least along a major portion of theposterior portion of the buccal flange 76.

Another embodiment of the mouth protector of the invention isillustrated in FIG. 5 and shown generally at 90. The protector 90 has abase portion 92 and a buccal flange portion 94 which are preferably ofthe same or similar construction as that shown for the protector 20 inFIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment the lingual flange 96 has an elongated andpreferably integrally formed ridge 98 which is positioned between arelatively wide inner portion 169 and a relatively thin flexible outeredge portion 162 and the ridge 98 projects from the inner surface of thelingual flange toward the buccal flange portion 94. The ridge 98 ispositioned on the lingual flange 96 to engage the crevice created by thejunction of the crown of the posterior teeth and the palatal mucosa whenthe protector 94 is positioned in the mouth of the user. The outer edgeportion 162 of the lingual flange portion 96 is thin and flexible and ispositionable against the palate of the user when positioned in themouth. The ridge 98 and upper edge portion 102 of the protector 90closely conform to the contour of the mouth and by providing the ridge98 the protector 91) is more firmly held in position and gripped on theteeth.

Another preferred specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated inFIG. 4 of the drawings. In this embodiment the protector is showngenerally at 110 and includes a base portion 112 which is shaped andconstructed in the same or similar manner as the base portion 24 ofprotector 20. In this embodiment the lingual flange portion is shown'generally at 114 and includes a relatively thick inner portion 116 and arelatively thin and pliable or flexible outer edge portion 118. Lingualflange 114 is provided with an elongated ridge 120 which is positionedbetween the inner portion 116 and outer edge portion 118 of the lingualflange and projects therefrom toward the buccal flange portion 122, theridge being positioned to engage the crevice created by the junction ofthe crown of the posterior teeth 26 and the palatal mucosa 50 and withthe outer edge portion 118 of the lingual flange positionable againstthe palate of the user when mounted in the mouth.

The buccal flange portion 122 is the same or similar in construction tothe buccal flange 76 of the protector 70 and includes a relatively thickinner portion 124 adjacent the base portion 112 and a thin and pliableor flexible outer edge portion 126. Buccal flange 122 has an integrallyformed elongated ridge 128 positioned between the inner portion 124 andthe outer edge portion 126 of the flange and projects therefrom towardthe lingual flange 114. The ridge is positioned to engage the crevicebetween the junction of the teeth 26 and the buccal alveolar mucosa 46of the user when positioned in the mouth. The protector is desirable foruse in instances where difficulty is experienced by the user inmaintaining a protector in position in the mouth since maximum grippingaction is obtained by this construction.

While only a portion of the protectors shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of thedrawings are shown, it will be understood that other details of theconstruction of these embodiments are preferably the same or similar tothat shown for the protector 20 in FIGS. l3.

FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings illustrate another preferred specificembodiment of the invention wherein means are provided to removablyattach the mouth protector to an item of clothing or the like. In thisembodiment the protector is shown generally at 130 and includes a baseportion 132, lingual flange portion 134 and buccal flange portion 136which can be of the same or similar construction with any of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 16. As illustrated in the drawings the buccalflange 136 and lingual flange 134 are the same or similar inconstruction to the protector 20 of FIGS. 13. In this embodiment aflexible tab 138 is provided and is preferably integrally formed withthe inner edge portion of the buccal flange 136 and projects anteriorlyfrom the most anterior portion of the buccal flange. The tab 13-8 has acentrally located aperture 140 therethrough as illustrated in FIG. 8. Anelongated flexible strap 142 is provided and has a projecting stud 144on one end portion thereof. The stud 144 is preferably enlarged at theouter- 7 most end portion thereof as shown at 146 and the stud isremovably positioned in the aperture 140 with the enlarged end 146thereof desirably extending entirely through the aperture as illustratedin FIG. 9 to removably attach the strap 142 to the tab 138.

Another stud 150 is preferably provided and projects from the other endportion of the strap 142 and the stud 150 is desirably enlarged at theoutermost end portion thereof as shown at 152. A slit or opening 154 isprovided in the other end portion of the strap 142 and is positioned inspaced relation to the stud 150. In use the stud 150 is positioned inthe slit or opening 154 by bending the end portion of strap 142 and theoutermost end portion 152 of the stud 150 projects through the strap andis retained therein similar to the attachment of stud 144 to tab 138.Stud 150 and slit or opening 154 provide connecting means by which thestrap 142 can be connected to wearing apparel, etc. so that the strap142 and protector 130 are not lost should the user remove the protectorfrom the month. For example, a football player 166, FIG. 11, having acommon football helmet 162 provided with the usual chin strap 164 canhave the strap 142 removably connected to the chin strap by looping theend portion thereof having the stud 150 thereon around the strap 164 andplacing the stud 150 in the slot or opening 154. Strap 142 can also beattached to the helmet face guard, etc., if desired.

In some instances it will be desirable to form the strap integral withthe protector. This is illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings where theprotector having the base portion 172, buccal flange 174 and lingualflange 176 is provided with an integrally formed strap 178 whichpreferably projects anteriorly from the most anterior portion of thebuccal flange 174 or from the base 172. Strap 178 is desirably providedwith suitable fastening means on the end portion thereof, such as a studsimilar to stud 150 and slot similar to slot 154 shown in FIG. 8.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferredspecific embodiments thereof, it will be un derstood by those skilled inthe art that such is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scopeof the invention which is defined by the claims.

We claim:

1. A mouth protector comprising, in combination, an integrally formeddeformable member made from a natural rubber compound, said member beinggenerally U- shaped in plan view and generally U-shaped in transversecross section, said member being open at the ends thereof and having agenerally flat resilient base portion shaped and of size to bepositioned between and engageable by the upper and lower teeth of theuser and flexible buccal and lingual flange portions projecting fromopposite side edges of said base portion in spaced relation, said flangeportions tapering from relatively thick inner portions at said baseportion to thin outer edge portions with said outer edge portions beingcurved inwardly toward each other and overlying said base portion at theposterior portions thereof, said buccal flange portion extending fromsaid base portion a distance greater than said lingual flange portionand adapted to snugly engage the buccal aspect of the posterior teethand the alveolar mucosa of the user when positioned in the mouth, saidlingual flange portion adapted to snugly engage the lingual convexity ofthe posterior teeth and terminating at the junction of the teeth and thepalatal mucosa of the user when positioned in the mouth, the mostanterior portion of said buccal flange portion having a shallow recessin said outer edge portion thereof positioned and of size to accommodatethe labial frenum of the user when positioned in the mouth, theintermediate portions of the posterior portions of said buccal flangeportion each having a shallow recess therein positioned and of size toaccommodate the buccal frena of the user when positioned in the mouth,an integral flexible tab projecting anteriorly from the most anteriorportion of said inner portion of said buccal flange portion, said tabhaving a centrally located aperture therethrough, an elongated flexiblestrap having a projecting stud on one end portion thereof with said studbeing enlarged at the outermost end portion thereof and with said studremovably positioned in said aperture in said tab to attach said strapto said member, another stud projecting from the other end portion ofsaid strap with said lastnamed stud being enlarged at the outermost endportion thereof, a slit in said other end portion of said strap inspaced relation to said last-named stud with said other end portion ofsaid strap being positionable around a chin strap or the like and withsaid last-named stud being removably received by said slit to attachsaid first-named strap to said chin strap, said mouth protector beingconstructed and adapted to be worn in the mouth on the teeth to protectthe users teeth and lips from direct and indirect trauma with saidbuccal and lingual flange portions being deformed slightly whenpositioned in the mouth of the user so that said buccal flange portionexerts gentle pressure on the buccal and labial aspects of the teeth andalveolar mucosa and said lingual flange portion exerts gentle pressureon the lingual aspect of the bicuspids and molars to thereby hold saidprotector in position in the mouth.

2. The mouth protector as defined in claim 1 wherein said buccal flangeportion has an elongated integral ridge positioned between said innerportion and said outer edge portion thereof and projecting therefromtoward said lingual flange portion, said ridge being positioned toengage the crevice created by the junction of the teeth and the buccalalveolar mucosa of the user when mouth.

3. The mouth protector of claim 1 wherein said base portion of saidmember is more dense than said flange portions.

4. A mouth protector comprising, in combination, an integrally formeddeformable member made from a natural rubber compound, said member beinggenerally U- shaped in plan view and generally U-shaped in transversecross section, said member being open at the ends thereof and having agenerallyy flat resilient base portion shaped and of size to bepositioned between and engaged by the upper and lower teeth of the userand flexible buccal and lingual flange portions projecting from oppositeside edges of said base portion in spaced relation, said flange portionsnarrowing from a relatively thick inner portion at said positioned inthe base portion to thin outer edge portions with said outer edgeportions being curved inwardly toward each other and overlying said baseportion at the posterior portions thereof, said buccal flange portionextending from said base portion a distance greater than said lingualflange portion and positioned along and adapted to snugly engage thebuccal aspect of the posterior teeth and the alveolar mucosa of the userwhen positioned in the mouth, said lingual flange portion having anelongated integral ridge positioned between said inner portion and saidouter edge portion thereof and projecting therefrom toward said buccalflange portion, said ridge being positioned to engage the crevicecreated by the junction of the crown of the posterior teeth and thepalatal mucosa and with said outer edge portion of said lingual flangeportion being thin and pliable and positionable against the palate ofthe user when positioned in the mouth, the most anterior portion of saidbuccal flange portion having a shallow recess in said outer edge portionthereof positioned and of size to accommodate the labial frenum of theuser when positioned in the mouth, the intermediate portions of theposterior portions of said buccal flange portion each having a shallowrecess therein positioned and of size to accommodate the buccal frena ofthe-user when positioned in the month, an integral flexible tabprojecting anteriorly from the most anterior portion of said innerportion of said buccal flange portion, said tab having a centrallylocated aperture therethrough, an elongated flexible strap having aprojecting stud on one end portion thereof with said stud being enlargedat the outermost end portion thereof and removably positioned in saidaperture in said tab to attach said strap to said member, another studprojecting from the other end portion of said strap with said last-namedstud being enlarged at the outermost end thereof, a slit in said otherend portion of said strap in spaced relation to said lastnamed stud withsaid other end portion of said strap being positionable around a chinstrap or the like of a helmet or the like and with said last-named studbeing removably received by said slit to attach said first-named strapto said chin strap, said mouth protector being constructed and adaptedto be worn in the mouth on the teeth to protect the users teeth and lipsfrom direct and indirect trauma with said buccal and lingual flangeportions being deformed slightly when positioned in the month of theuser so that said buccal flange exerts general pressure on the buccaland labial aspects of the teeth and alveolar mucosa and with saidlingual flange portion exerting general pressure on the lingual aspectof the bicuspids and molars with said ridge thereon positioned at thejunction of the crown of the posterior teeth and the palatal mucosa tothereby hold said protector in position in the mouth.

5. The mouth protector as defined in claim 4 wherein said buccal flangeportion has an elongated integral ridge positioned between said innerportion and said outer edge portion thereof and projecting therefromtoward said lingual flange portion, said ridge being positioned toengage the crevice created by the junction of the teeth and the buccalalveolar mucosa of the user when positioned in the mouth.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Exzlmiuer UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Miller 128136 Helmer et a1 128136 Cathcart et a1 128--136Zubren 128-136 Greenblum 128136 Moffett 128136 10 3,211,143 10/1965Grassberg 128136 FOREIGN PATENTS 24,867 1899 Great Britain.

, 0 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

R. J. HOFFMAN, Examiner.

L. W. TRAPP, H. REZZNER, Assistant Examiners.

1. A MOUTH PROTECTOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN INTEGRALLY FORMEDDEFORMABLE MEMBER MADE FROM A NATURAL RUBBER COMPOUND, SAID MEMBER BEINGGENERALLY USHAPED IN PLAN VIEW AND GENERALLY U-SHAPED IN TRANSVERSECROSS SECTION, SAID MEMBER BEING OPEN AT THE ENDS THEREOF AND HAVING AGENERALLY FLAT RESILIENT BASE PORTION SHAPED AND OF SIZE TO BEPOSITIONED BETWEEN AND ENGAGEABLE BY THE UPPER AND LOWER TEETH OF THEUSER AND FLEXIBLE BUCCAL AND LINGUAL FLANGE PORTIONS PROJECTING FROMOPPOSITE SIDE EDGES OF SAID BASE PORTION IN SPACED RELATION, SAID FLANGEPORTIONS TAPERING FROM RELATIVELY THICK INNER PORTIONS AT SAID BASEPORTION TO THIN OUTER EDGE PORTIONS WITH SAID OUTER EDGE PORTIONS BEINGCURVED INWARDLY TOWARD EACH OTHER AND OVERLYING SAID BASE PORTION AT THEPOSTERIOR PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID BUCCAL FLANGE PORTION EXTENDING FROMSAID BASE PORTION A DISTANCE GREATER THN SAID LINGUAL FLANGE PORTION ANDADAPTED TO SNUGLY ENGAGE THE BUCCAL ASPECT OF THE POSTERIOR TEETH ANDTHE ALVEOLAR MUCOSA OF THE USER WHEN POSITIONED IN THE MOUTH, SAIDLINGUAL FLANGE PORTION ADAPTED TO SNUGLY ENGAGE THE LINGUAL CONVEXITY OFTHE POSTERIOR TEETH AND TERMINATING AT THE JUNCTION OF THE TEETH AND THEPALATAL MUCOSA OF THE USER WHEN POSITIONED IN THE MOUTH, THE MOSTANTERIOR PORTION OF SAID BUCCAL FLANGE PORTION HAVING A SHALLOW RECESSIN SAID OUTER EDGE PORTION THEREOF POSITIONED AND OF SIZE TO ACCOMMODATETHE LABIAL FRENUM OF THE USER WHEN POSITIONED IN THE MOUTH, THEINTERMEDIATE PORTIONS OF THE POSTERIOR PORTIONS OF SAID BUCCAL FLANGEPORTION EACH HAVING A SHALLOW RECESS THEREIN POSITIONED AND OF SIZE TOACCOMMODATE THE BUCCAL FRENA OF THE USER WHEN POSITIONED IN THE MOUTH,AN INTEGRAL FLEXIBLE TAB PROJECTING ANTERIORLY FROM THE MOST ANTERIORPORTION OF SAID INNER PORTION OF SAID BUCCAL FLANGE